Objective/hypothesis: A clinical evaluation of CO2 laser endoscopic posterior partial transverse cordotomy (EPPTC) in patients with severely compromised airway due to bilateral paralysis of the vocal fold.
Study design: An inception cohort of 25 patients over a 10-year period.
Methods: The CO2 laser EPPTC was unilateral in 15 patients and bilateral in 10. Variables were tested for potential statistical relation to successful rehabilitation of the airway.
Results: The use of the CO2 laser never resulted in adverse side effects. Complications were not encountered. A one-step, successful restoration of the airway was achieved in 68% (17/25) of patients. In univariate analysis, the CO2 laser EPPTC was statistically more likely to be successful if bilateral EPPTC was performed (P = .018). None of the following variables--age, sex, cause of bilateral paralysis, prior treatment, laser parameters, and duration of postoperative antibiotherapy and oral steroids--was statistically related to a successful restoration of the airway. Revision CO2 laser EPPTC, performed in six patients, resulted in an overall 92% (23/25) rate for a successful restoration of the airway. The overall tracheotomy rate was 8% (2/25).
Conclusion: The authors' data confirm the safety, ease of performance, and efficiency of the CO2 laser EPPTC in patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis. This report also suggests that the completion of bilateral CO2 laser EPPTC statistically increases the likelihood of restoring the airway in a one-step surgical procedure.